Winter Quarters Temple

July 22, we drove up to Omaha, NE to attend the Winter Quarters Temple on Saturday. We enjoyed eating out, attending the temple, and seeing a play. The play was about when the saints came to Kainsville before they headed out west. The pictures below are at the Vistors Center right by the temple. I'm kicking myself for not getting a picture of the temple. I love attending the temple and performing ordiances for those who have passed away. While driving home, it occured to me that words can't describe the beauty of being in the celestial with Matt (and my parents) and being so incandescently happy. No car, house, or material item brings greater joy than being in the temple with the ones you love. Wish Christa and Michael could have come as well as Kate. What a great day it will be when all of us can be there together. Oh by the way Scott comes home in 4 months! My mom got to talk to him on the phone yesterday! His companion needed some money so Scott called my mom asking for some. He is doing really good and working hard.

My mom always looking so stylish.

Sarah's Diving

Sarah did diving again this summer and did AWESOME! I wish I could do half the dives and flips she can. We went swimming a couple of weeks ago at our neigbors and she was trying to teach me how to do a back dive off the diving board. She would stand in front of me and put her hands on my waist and say, "Now Nick, just fall back. It's easy!" I just couldn't do it with her standing there. Here a fourteen year old is trying to help her twenty-four sister on the diving board. Needless to say I was providing entertainment for everyone.

Katie's Graduation

On May 22, Katie graduated from Olathe South! She decided to graduate in December, but wanted to walk as well. The ceremony was great, but just a tad bit long! When I asked Matt to take a picture with me, I think that is why he made a funny face. After sitting for hours and hours on the uncomfortable bleachers, he was ready to get out of there! Maybe by the time Sarah graduates, he will have forgotten! We love you Katie and so proud of you!

Kansas City Temple Run

In celebration of the Kansas City Temple, a 5k was held. Last time I saw it, they are had just poured the cement. It was amazing to see how its progressed and beautiful. I've heard its suppose to be done in November! Matt and I are so excited to have a temple closer and be able to go more often. To read about the event and see more pictures (see if you see three foxy ladies in one picture) check out this website: http://kcldstemple.blogspot.com/2011/05/run-chasers-run.html.

Matt and I with Elder Jensen. He is also one of our favorites.

Fred Clarke supporting his Peru shirt! Scott comes home in December!

Sarah, mom, and Elder Cox. He served in our area for more than a year! He is one of our favorite missionaries.

The New J-O-B!

After graduating from college I was able to secure a job as a Preschool Teacher. I graduated with a degree in Child Development and knew from a very young age that I wanted to work with children. I am very proud of my degree. The knowledge I gained from my courses, will also help me to be a good mother (hopefully). While growing up, my mom always preached to me, "Get your degree. Get your degree." I set that goal and told Matt right off when we got married that I was going to get my education and was able to achieve my goal. So anyways, after being a Preschool Teacher for almost two years, I decided it was time for a change. I started praying and doing some research. I know the job market is in the slumps right now but I had interview after interview and even received a job opportunity but I didn't feel right about it. Well a position came up through Johnson County Government and I knew I wanted to nail it! Our bishop was kind enough to give me his father's e-mail/phone to help me with my resume. His dad was a CEO of a corporate company and interviewed many individuals to get into medical school. He was able to look over my resume and give me helpful suggestions. My first interview was over the phone due to the wonderful winter storm. The interviewer informed me that she had another folder of applicants, my heart sank. After I hung up, I felt peace and felt really good about it. The next day I left for Florida for six days and didn't hear anything. So I quickly wrote a "Thank You" note to the company/interviewer when I got back. A couple of days later, I received an e-mail notifying me that I was one of four individuals qualified for the next interview. I was so thrilled! I went to the second interview and it went great! They called me within a couple of days asking if I would accept the job, of course!!! You are now looking at the newest Child Care Facility Center Specialist. My job entails going to Child Care Centers and making sure they are in par with State Regulations and performing compliance checks as well as complaints. I really like the people I work with. Everyday is a different day. I love meeting new people and still get to see/interact with kids. I enjoy going to see the classrooms and how creative teachers can be. I set my own schedule. No more running to the library to find books for my kids or creating lesson plans at home after I have put in a full day. Oh did I add I get my own cubicle/computer?! I love kids and making sure they are in a safe and healthy environment! I owe all this to my Heavenly Father. He heard my prayer and knew there was something bigger and better out there for me, I just had to work hard at it, have patience, and trust in him. Sometimes our time lines are different but in the end it all works out.


So this was my first day. Matt laughed when I asked him to take my picture but I worked really hard to get this job and was very excited!

Three Years!

Wow does time fly! On the fifteen of February, Matt and I celebrated our third Anniversary! First he surprised me with a dozen roses at work and had lunch with the kids and I. Later, we decided to go out to dinner. I planned on surprising Matt with his favorite restaurant, The Peach Tree down on Power and Light District. However, while at work, I found out they went out of business! So we decided to go down to the Plaza to the Cheese Cake Factory. I had a delicious Prime Sirloin Steak and Matt got the Salmon. We then took home a Reese Peanut Butter Cup Cheese Cake. I was so full that I could have only one bite and learned my lesson... don't expect to get a bite the next day! I love Matt more than the day I married him. Our trials have made us stronger and I am so happy that he is my eternal companion! Everyday he makes me laugh!

Trip to Florida

January 20th we boarded a plane and headed for warm, sunny Florida. We joined Paul and Melissa and there cute four boys and stayed in a house. While we were in Florida we visited the beach, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, and Wet N' Wild! Wet N' Wild was by far the best! It was suppose to be rainy that day but we decided to take a chance. It was in the late seventies and I bet there were ten other people at the park, we basically walked on to the water rides. One of my favorite rides was the Disco! While riding on a tube with three other people in this huge funnel there was a disco ball hanging from the ceiling with disco music playing. Carson was hilarious! We also celebrated Katie's 18th birthday at a Mexican Restaurant where a band sung and played for her. We visited the Orlando Temple, which was beautiful! We also visited the Manatees. Matt was unable to come due to school, hopefully next time he can come!